Multiuse minibike

ABSTRACT

A multiple use minibike suitable for road or trail use, and having lawn and soil treating and cutting attachments therefore, together with selectively controllable speed and power transmission drive means for selective driving of the minibike and attachments.

United States Patent [72] Inventor James E. Rester 105 Auburn Drive, Clinton, Miss. 39056 [21] Appl. No. 53,851 [22] Filed July 10, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [54] MULTIUSE MINlBlKE 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 56/13.5, 56/2, 56/l5.8, 172/247 [51] Int. Cl A01d 35/26 [50] Field of Search 56/25.4, 13.5,15.8;172/123,247;180/11, 12,33

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,620,612 12/1952 De Eugenio 56/254 Thompson Reece Hanson et a1. Holderness.

Fulton Burkhardt Osborne Burnet Opitz..... Nash Primary Examiner- Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-.1. N. Eskovitz Attorney-David H. Semmes 180/11 X 172/123 X 56/25.4 180/11 X 180/11 180/11 180/11 56/26 180/11 X 180/20 ABSTRACT: A multiple use minibike suitable for road or trail use, and having lawn and soil treating and cutting attachments therefore, together with selectively controllable speed and power transmission drive means for selective driving of the minibike and attachments.

rmmennzceaan' 31630.010

SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR JAMES E. RESTER ATTORNEY PATENTED DEC2 8 I97! SHEET 3 BF 3 FIG. 5

INVENTOR JAMES E. RESTER ATTORNEY MULTIUSE MINIBIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mini-bikes are in widespread use of road and trail operation. Lawn mowers of a driven or a riding type are also in widespread use, especially in areas where extensive lawns are maintained. In areas permitting, gardens are frequently planted, and soil preparation and treatment preferably are accomplished by means of power driven tilling machines and the like. The acquisition of separate such machines for each use or purpose is extremely costly and entails multiplication of storage and maintenance capacities and efforts. Each such machine has heretofore been designed and constructed to serve a single purpose, with the accompanying inherent drawbacks enumerated. There exists a desire to eliminate these drawbacks, preferably by incorporation in a single machine of mechanisms to accomplish these various functions, without however detracting from normal usage of the machine for its other purposes. Such a facile and desirable machine has not heretofore been available.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON The present invention is a machine which, with a single basic unit, permits multiple uses by providing a mini-bike construction to which selectively, a lawn mower, a soil tiller, and the like, can be attached with a minimum of effort and time, and wherein the primary function as a mini-bike for road or trail use is not detracted from. The machine incorporates a multispeed reversible transmission driven from the mini-bike motor and interconnecting selectively usable drives therefrom for the bike, mower or tiller and the like. Attachment or removal of the units or components for different uses of the mini-bike is simply and quickly accomplished, and for each use, a highly efficient machine is provided. Costs and maintenance problems are substantially reduced by the present invention.

Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a mini-bike in accordance with the invention having attached thereto a lawn mower;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a mini-bike frame and drive and control means for the bike and attachments thereto;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the structure of FlG. 3 with a lawn mower attachment schematically attachedly shown in driving interconnection;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view ofa soil tiller attachment for association with the mini-bike frame; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the tiller mechanism corresponding to FIG. 5.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the basic mini-bike construction includes an open frame 10 which constitutes the main frame of the bike and which may be selectively constructed of tubing, bar size channel, light angle iron, pressed metal or the like in a known manner. The front end of the frame terminates in a steering post 12 adapted for.

steerably joumaling a fork 14 and a road wheel and tire generally shown at 16. A usual handle construction 18 is provided. The construction and relationship of the front wheel and steering handle is such that the whole assembly can be quickly removed from or attached to the frame 10 and replaced by an attachment, as will appear hereinafter, in the nature of a soil tiller or the like.

A traction wheel and tire assembly 20 is rotatably mounted on the rear end of frame 10 in a usual manner. A drive motor 22 is secured to the frame and is of a usual type associated with mini-bikes, preferably provided with a recoil starter for example and of a desired horsepower rating as common in the art, such for example as 3 to 10 horsepower.

A transmission 24 is provided and of a controllable type having low, high and reverse operation controlled by shift lever 26. In the invention this transmission utilizes low and reverse for mower or tiller operation, low speed for operation of the mini-bike as a trail bike and high speed for operation of the mini-bike as a road bike. The transmission is operatively drivingly connected with rear wheel 20 by chain drive 28 or the like from a pulley on the output shaft of the transmission. The transmission is driven through a pulley and belt system including a rear pulley 30 operatively associated with the transmission, a belt 32 entrained around a variable pulley mechanism generally designated 34 driven from and through engine pulley 36 on the output shaft of motor 22. A toe operated clutch and variable speed control assembly generally designated 38 includes a toe plate 40 rotatably journaled on shaft 42 operatively associated through link 44 with a lever 46 of the clutch assembly permits control of engagement and dis; 0

engagement between the motor and the transmission from zero drive condition to full drive connection by slippage of the belt and pulley arrangement and also permits full engagement or complete disengagement of drive from the motor to the transmission and permits shifting of the transmission to the desired operational condition.

In a usual manner, the mini-bike is provided with a rider seat 48 on stand 50 mounted on the frame. The brake assembly generally designated 52 includes a rotatably mounted toe or foot plate 54 and an offset lever 56 having a rod or lever 58 connected thereto. A V-belt pulley orthe like 60 is attached on the'output shaft of the transmission around which is entrained a V-belt band section or the like 62'attached to the rear end of rod 58. Upon actuation of plate 54, the belt or brake segment 62 is frictionally engaged with the pulley 60 and serves as a brake for the mini-bike. By correlation of controls of the toe plates 40 and 54 in a normal known manner, operation of the mini-bike is readily controlled.

The foregoing described structure is operable as a usual standard mini-bike for road or trail use as will be apparent. In order to permit the unit however to serve at least three different needs of an average family, for example, additional components in the nature of removable attachments are provided. To this end a mower generally designated 64 which, as shown, can be of a rotary type including blade 66 attached to shaft 68 at least partially within protective housing 70 is adapted for mounting on the under side of the frame 10 for driving engagement with motor 22. The mower construction includes, associated with the frame thereof which is not shown in detail, a small front wheel 72, preferably pivotable, which serves to level the mower and constitutes a single point mount at the front and preferably providing for vertical adjustment.

Laterally spaced rear wheels 74 are operatively attached to the mowerin a usual manner and, in operation, provide not only rolling support for the mower but also lateral stability for the bike when used in a mowing operation. A two spring attachment 76 is provided between the mini-bike frame and the mower construction which provides resiliency and a quickly disassociated or connectable attachment means for the mower assembly. The mower is can be attached to the bike and drive motor by means of a flexible coupling, hexagonal spline and centrifugal clutch, all generally designated or indicated at 78, the details of which are not shown for clarity, but generally are of known constructions and details are not necessary to the concept of the invention. If used this could provide a flexibility and permits the blade to stop when the power is reduced or an impediment encountered by the blade. With the mower assembly attached to the mini-bike, operation of the transmission permits forward and reverse operation of the bike while preferably utilizing a low speed setting of the transmission.

The mower size and construction can vary with the mower size for example being between a 24 inch cut to a 48 inch cut as desired.

An additional contemplated use is for incorporation in the basic unit of a soil tiller in the nature of a roto tiller or the like generally indicated at 80, FIGS. 5 and 6. For attachment of the tiller, the front wheel assembly l6, 18 is disconnected from and removed from the steering post 12. The assembly 80 replaces the foregoing and includes a shaft 82 rotatably mounted in steering post 12 and which mounts a rotatable shaft 84 having secured thereto tiller cutting blades 86 of a usual type. The shaft 84 is carried by and within a housing 88. The shaft 86 detachably mounts wheels 90 for moving the tiller about when not engaging in a tilling operation. A steering handle 92 is attached to housing 88 and permits steering and guiding of the mini-bike having the tiller attachment 80 mounted thereon. Drive of the tiller cutting blades 86 is accomplished through a drive including a pulley 94 of a type adapted for rotating the blades with pulley 94 being driven through a belt drive system generally designated 96 operatively engaged with a pulley 98 operatively associated with the output shaft of motor 22. The connection of the tiller attachment can be easily and quickly accomplished in a readily understandable manner. The front wheel, fork and mower are removed and the tiller assembly as above described is attached to the frame and the drive belt system operatively engaged. Speed control and operation is basically as described hereinabove.

It will accordingly be seen that the unit of the present invention can be easily rearranged so that a standard or basic minibike construction can serve at least three different needs of desired use and substantially reduces initial cost and maintenance as compared with separate distinct units. The utilization of the mini-bike per se is in no way detracted from.

Manifestly minor changes in details of construction can be effected within the described embodiment within departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A multiple use mini-bike comprising, in combination:

A. a tandem two wheel minibike including:

i. a frame; ii. a drive motor on said frame; iii. a controllable transmission operatively connected to said motor; iv. a rear traction wheel operatively driven from said transmission;

8. a detachable steering wheel assembly removably attachable to said frame;

C. a mower removably attachable to said frame and operatively driveable from said motor through said transmission; and

D. a steerable soil tiller removably attachable to said frame as a replacement for said steering assembly for soil tilling operations of said mini-bike and operatively driveable from said motor through said transmission.

2. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 1, said tiller assembly including a mounting column adapted for replacement of a steering wheel mount on said frame, a shaft, tiller blades on said shaft, said latter shaft having a drive pulley operatively connected thereto and a drive pulley system interconnecting the tiller blade drive shaft and the motor output shaft.

3. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 2, and including detachable wheels for said tiller for nontilling movement of the bike and a steering handle associated with the tiller.

4. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 1, said transmission comprising a multi speed reversible transmission, and control means for said transmission.

5. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 4, including mounting means for said mower, said mounting means includin a longitudinally centrally positioned small front pivotable w eel adapted to level said mower, constituting a single point mount and being vertically adjustable, rear laterally spaced mount wheels for said mower assembly and laterally spaced spring attachments interconnecting said mower assembly and said frame, said rear wheels serving to laterally stabilize said mini-bike. 

1. A multiple use mini-bike comprising, in combination: A. a tandem two wheel minibike including: i. a frame; ii. a drive motor on said frame; iii. a controllable transmission operatively connected to said motor; iv. a rear traction wheel operatively driven from said transmission; B. a detachable steering wheel assembly removably attachable to said frame; C. a mower removably attachable to said frame and operatively driveable from said motor through said transmission; and D. a steerable soil tilleR removably attachable to said frame as a replacement for said steering assembly for soil tilling operations of said mini-bike and operatively driveable from said motor through said transmission.
 2. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 1, said tiller assembly including a mounting column adapted for replacement of a steering wheel mount on said frame, a shaft, tiller blades on said shaft, said latter shaft having a drive pulley operatively connected thereto and a drive pulley system interconnecting the tiller blade drive shaft and the motor output shaft.
 3. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 2, and including detachable wheels for said tiller for nontilling movement of the bike and a steering handle associated with the tiller.
 4. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 1, said transmission comprising a multi speed reversible transmission, and control means for said transmission.
 5. A multiple use mini-bike as claimed in claim 4, including mounting means for said mower, said mounting means including a longitudinally centrally positioned small front pivotable wheel adapted to level said mower, constituting a single point mount and being vertically adjustable, rear laterally spaced mount wheels for said mower assembly and laterally spaced spring attachments interconnecting said mower assembly and said frame, said rear wheels serving to laterally stabilize said mini-bike. 